A MODEL Spitfire for Darwen town centre is ‘very near completion’, according to a councillor behind the project.

Apprentices at WEC Engineering Group in Junction Street are working on the 6.9m by 3.8m scale steel model, commemorating the fighter plane bought by Darwen people during the Second World War.

After two years of talks and production, the model will be installed within months.

Town councillor Tony Melia said: “I went to WEC recently and the Spitfire should be at the polishing stage by the end of June.

“Now we have to wait for the borough planning department to decide where it will be installed. The two options are outside the leisure centre, or outside the pharmacy in Market Street.

“We hope to have an official unveiling around the anniversary of VE Day in September.”